Paumacariya (critical study)
by K. R. Chandra | 1970 | 238,015 words
This is an English study of the Paumacariya: the earliest Jain version of Rama's life story, written in Prakrit by Vimalasuri dating to the 4th century AD. In this text, Rama (referred to as Padma) is depicted with lotus-like eyes and a blooming face. The Paumacariya places emphasis on the human aspects of characters rooted in Jain values, contrast...
VIII.7. Acquiring of Bahurupa Vidya by Ravana
[Full title: Section VIII: The killing of Ravana; (G) Acquiring of Bahurupa Vidya by Ravana]
According to the Paumacariya, Ravana, after his proposal being turned down by Rama, starts meditating in the Jina temple to acquire unvanquishable Bahurupa-vidya for defeating Rama (66). The Vanaras cause terror in Lanka by torturing the citizens (67). Angada disturbs Ravana and drags Mandodari to impede Ravana's success. But Ravana remains devoted and attains the desired goal (68). In the Valmiki Ramayana there is no reference to the performance of any austerity by Ravana for attaining any supernatural power. The performance of a sacrifice by Indrajit and its destruction by Laksmana has already been referred to. The north-west version of Valmiki Ramayana mentions, after the slaying of Indrajit, the meditation by Ravana, the mischief of the Vanaras to perturb him, the dragging of Mandodari by Angada and the incomplete sacrifice of Ravana (Rama-katha; by Dr. C. Bulke (First Edition)., p. 380). The Ramcharitmanas mentions the performing of a Yajna by Indrajit as in the Valmiki Ramayana It additionally refers to the sacrifice of Ravana and its being foiled by Hanumat and Angada who were sent by Rama after the death of Indrajit to do so (6. 85). Here Ravana's wives are dragged and Ravana is kicked. 1, Madhusudana's version (Rama-katha; by Dr. C. Bulke (First Edition).,p. 195). 7
98 A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM Obstructing of the sacrifice of Ravana and his failure to achieve the desired goal is found in the Adhyatma Ramayana (6.10.4-35), Padmapurana (Uttara, 269 does not mention the performance of any sacrifice by Indrajit) and the Ananda Ramayana (1.11.230-240). The Khotani Ramayana, Telugu Dvipada Ramayana, Kannarese Torave Ramayana (6.42), Gujarati Ramayana-sara, Kasmiri Ramayana, Seri Rama, Reama Kera, Rama Kiyena and the West-Acct. No. 3 also mention (Rama-katha; by Dr. C. Bulke (First Edition)., p. 396) Ravana's unsuccessful sacrifice. It is important to note that the Ramopakhyana and the Raghuvamsa do not mention either of the sacrifices. In the RamaKiyena, Kumbhakarna is associated with a sacrifice undertaken for vitalising the power of his lance (moksasakti). but it is destroyed by Hanumat and Angada (Rama-katha; by Dr. C. Bulke (First Edition)., p. 392.